Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneRasual Butler had 27 points in the Hornets' win against the L.A. Clikppers.

Led by Rasual Butler's season-high 27 points - including a season-best six 3-pointers, the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 107-80 Friday night at New Orleans Arena.

Center Tyson Chandler had a double-double for the Hornets with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while forward James Posey came off the bench to contribute 16 points.

It was the Clippers' 10th straight loss.

Third quarter

New Orleans Hornets guard Rasual Butler has scored 26 points, surpassing his season high of 21, and has established a season-high in 3-point baskets with six as the Hornets lead the Los Angeles Clippers 87-67 through three quarters.

A fourth straight sellout crowd (17,815) in New Orleans Arena has seen the Hornets withstand good outside shooting from the Clippers (50 percent) to maintain the lead.

Second quarter

The streak is over. The New Orleans Hornets had been out-scored in the second quarter of 12 consecutive games, until Friday night.

The Hornets topped the Los Angeles Clippers 30-26 to snap the skein, and in the process took a 62-49 halftime lead.

Forward James Posey has come off the bench to score 11 points for the Hornets, while guard Antonio Daniels hit all three of his shots and has six points.

First quarter

New Orleans Hornets guard Rasual Butler hit four 3-point shots in the first quarter as the Hornets raced out to a 32-23 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night.

Butler made 4 of his 6 attempts from the outside in the period. Butler also had a pair of free-throws for a 14-point quarter.

Center Marcus Camby led Los Angeles with nine first-quarter points.

Pregame
Even though the Los Angeles Clippers enter tonight's game against the New Orleans Hornets on a nine-game losing streak - including a 106-84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday - Hornets Coach Byron Scott was wary of the Clippers' potential.

Los Angeles is without three starters, two, Baron Davis and Zach Randolph, because of injury, another, Ricky Davis, because of a league-mandated suspension for violation of the anti-drug policy.

"I mean they are a very dangerous team," Scott said of the 8-27 Clippers. "They're missing a lot of their guys, but it means that a lot of other guys get an opportunity to play.

"(Guard Eric) Gordon we know is playing great. (Forward Al) Thornton we know what he can do. And (center Marcus) Camby he's a pro. Just those three guys alone you've got to be a little leery of going into the game thinking that it's going to be an easy game. We've just got to make sure we come out ready to play.

New Orleans defeated the Clippers 99-87 on Nov. 23, 2008 in Los Angeles.